Backpacking Archives - A Simple Life of Luxury https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/tag/backpacking/ Tales from a down-shifted family - Making the most of modest means in West Wales Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:43:06 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cropped-favicon-160x160.jpg Backpacking Archives - A Simple Life of Luxury https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/tag/backpacking/ 32 32 2696646 Needs and Need Nots on the West Highland Way https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/needs-and-need-nots-on-the-west-highland-way/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/needs-and-need-nots-on-the-west-highland-way/#comments Sun, 21 Apr 2024 08:42:21 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42547 Seeing as I wrote a packing list for the West Highland Way I thought it would make sense to review it now that I’m back. What were the ‘needs’ and what were the ‘need nots’? Was there anything I could have left at home to save some weight, and was there anything I wish I...

The post Needs and Need Nots on the West Highland Way appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/needs-and-need-nots-on-the-west-highland-way/feed/ 2 42547 West Highland Way Day 4: Kingshouse to Fort William https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-4-kingshouse-to-fort-william/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-4-kingshouse-to-fort-william/#comments Sat, 20 Apr 2024 08:06:00 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42506 It poured with rain all night. So much so that I had to keep looking out to make sure the river wasn’t rising. Fortunately, it was OK and at around 5:30am I heard the rain ease off. A quick check of the weather apps and it looked as though it would start again soon so...

The post West Highland Way Day 4: Kingshouse to Fort William appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-4-kingshouse-to-fort-william/feed/ 1 42506 West Highland Way Day 3: Tyndrum to Kingshouse https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-3-tyndrum-to-kingshouse/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-3-tyndrum-to-kingshouse/#respond Sat, 20 Apr 2024 07:03:00 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42482 Setting off from a riverside camp with drying gear, the trekker navigates through Tyndrum, pondering over wild camps and supply stops, only to circle back. Despite rain and hail, spirits lift with brief sun glimpses and scenic mountain views along the military road. Concluding a challenging 20-mile journey at Kingshouse, comfort is found in a wild campsite, venison burgers, and dreams of reaching Fort William.

The post West Highland Way Day 3: Tyndrum to Kingshouse appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-3-tyndrum-to-kingshouse/feed/ 0 42482 West Highland Way Day 2: Ptarmagin Lodge to Tyndrum https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-2-ptarmagin-lodge-to-tyndrum/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-2-ptarmagin-lodge-to-tyndrum/#comments Fri, 19 Apr 2024 05:50:00 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42458 Embarking on day 2 of the West Highland Way, I broke camp early to avoid rain and made steady progress along the scenic path despite muddy conditions. Social encounters and magnificent waterfalls dotted my trek to Inversnaid. Despite tempting lodging options due to worsening weather, I chose to push on, ending the day in Tyndrum, setting up camp amid rainfall and securing halfway completion of my journey. With challenges like blisters managed, I readied for the next day’s adventure.

The post West Highland Way Day 2: Ptarmagin Lodge to Tyndrum appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-day-2-ptarmagin-lodge-to-tyndrum/feed/ 1 42458 Ooops – I failed on The West Highland Way https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/ooops-i-failed-on-the-west-highland-way/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/ooops-i-failed-on-the-west-highland-way/#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:49:36 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42424 Embarking on the West Highland Way I turned a leisurely 6-10 day hike into a 4-day aqua-adventure. Despite the intended easy pace and soggy shoes spawning a blister bonanza, my internal speedster ignored the 'take it easy' memo, galloping to the finish with an unanticipated sprint. I almost tackled another trail, but my painfully protesting feet staged a rebellion, demanding rest. Blog updates pending – stay tuned for the blister count!

The post Ooops – I failed on The West Highland Way appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/ooops-i-failed-on-the-west-highland-way/feed/ 2 42424 West Highland Way Packing List https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-packing-list/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-packing-list/#comments Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:32:45 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42353 The backpacking packing list for hiking the West Highland Way focuses on balance between weight and comfort. It includes an Osprey Talon 44 pack, a Nordisk Telemark tent, a Thermarest sleep system, and clothing for various conditions, totaling a base weight of 8.35kg without food and water. The list further details kitchen essentials, hygiene products, a comprehensive first aid and repair kit, electronics for communication and navigation, and additional accessories for convenience and safety on the trail. The aim is meticulous organization and preparedness while maintaining a manageable pack weight.

The post West Highland Way Packing List appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/04/west-highland-way-packing-list/feed/ 8 42353 Wales Coast Path – Porth Clais to Porth Gain https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/03/wales-coast-path-porth-clais-to-port-gain/ https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/03/wales-coast-path-porth-clais-to-port-gain/#respond Tue, 19 Mar 2024 12:07:48 +0000 https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/?p=42210 Coast Path Vital Stats Porth Clais to Porth Gain Distance: 18.32 miles Elevation Gain Today: 1026m Highest Elevation: 110m Time: 6:02:58 Av. Pace: 19:49 mins/mile Calories: 2195 Totals to Date Total Distance: 1014.41 miles Total Time: 192:47:50 Total Elevation Gain: 31508m Total Calories: 97500 Distance to go: 87 miles A New Plan As usual, I...

The post Wales Coast Path – Porth Clais to Porth Gain appeared first on A Simple Life of Luxury.

]]> https://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2024/03/wales-coast-path-porth-clais-to-port-gain/feed/ 0 42210